Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 17.djvu/123

RHODE ISLAND. since 1890, as has also been the case with the silk and silk goods industry. Next in importance to the textiles are jewelry and silverware. The State ranks first in each of these and second in the reducing and refining of gold and silver not from the ore. These industries are almost wholly concentrated in Providence. They began here prior to the Revolution, but the prominence of the city in this respect dates from about 1894, when improved machinery was applied. All three of these industries made large gains in the decade 1890-1900. The foundry and machine-shop industry mainly turns out engines and boilers, for which the State has an established reputation. The manufacture of rubber boots and shoes (not included in the appended table) amounted in 1900 to $8,034,417 in value, and the manufacture of electrical apparatus reached $5,113,292 in the same year.

The following table shows the relative importance of most of the leading industries:

. The railroad mileage increased from 108 in 1860 to 217 miles in 1890 and decreased to 209 in 1900. All the important lines are under the control of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad. The value of foreign imports at the port of Providence for the year ending June 30, 1901, was $1,146,511. The exports are altogether insignificant. Of greater importance is the coastwise traffic, there being a considerable trade with the important North Atlantic ports. Newport and Bristol and Warren are also customs districts, but the trade of both is small.

. The first bank of Rhode Island was

the Providence Bank, founded in 1791. The early banking history of the State, however, centres around the Providence Institution for Savings, which dates from 1819. It has been the tendency during the past few years for the national banks and savings institutions either to liquidate or become trust companies. The report of the Comptroller of the Currency for the year ending June 30, 1902, gives the following statistics:

. The State Constitution was adopted in 1842, replacing the original charter granted by King Charles II. An amendment proposed in the General Assembly must receive the votes of a majority of all the members elected to each House at two consecutively elected Assemblies, and then be approved by three-fifths of the electors present and voting in the town and ward meetings.

Since 1888 a residence and home in the State for two years and in the town or city for six months preceding an election have been required for voting, with a small additional property qualification for those voting for the city council of any city or upon any proposition to impose a tax or for the expenditure of money in any town or city. The capital of Rhode Island is Providence.

. According to the amendment of 1900, the General Assembly meets on the first Tuesday of January in each year at Providence. Each town or city has one representative in the Senate, and one or more in the House of Representatives, but no town or city can have more than one-sixth of the 72 members to which the House is limited, and no town or city can be divided for purposes of representation. Senators and Representatives are paid according to time of actual attendance, with a maximum limit of 60 days, plus mileage. The House impeaches and the Senate tries all cases of impeachment.

. The Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, Secretary, Attorney-General, and Treasurer are annually elected at the same time and place as are Senators and Representatives, namely, at the town, ward, and district meetings, on the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November. They hold office one year. The Lieutenant-Governor succeeds to the Governorship in case of a vacancy, and in case of further vacancy the position is filled by appointment by the General Assembly acting in grand committee. The pardoning power is exercised by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.

. The judicial power is vested in one Supreme Court and such inferior courts as the General Assembly may establish, the powers of the several courts being prescribed by law. Judges of the Supreme Court are elected by the General Assembly in grand committee, and their term of office continues until their positions are declared vacant by a resolution of the General Assembly.